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High-level events

The World Press Photo of the Year Awards Ceremony and the King Willem I Prize, the openings of the Dutch Design Week and the TodaysArt festival, fashion shows of numerous Dutch fashion designers, the reopening of the Rijksmuseum and Mauritshuis, networking events for captains of industry, the Royal Wedding of our now King and Queen, many international UN-conferences; these are just a few examples of the extensive experience of Protocolbureau.

Protocolbureau develops and plans high-level events and networking meetings with dignitaries or other important stakeholders. Our expertise guarantees that your important event will be a success beyond expectations and the relationship with the important stakeholders is strengthened.

Protocol is the modern currency of relationships

In essence, protocol management has always been about optimising relationships by maximising personal attention and systemising logistics. Protocol management enables the staging of the personal encounter. In a world where personal attention has become scarce and technology a facilitator for rules and procedures, protocol management provides us with a unique vision in which personal time is the greatest good we can give to someone. It is the modern currency of relationships.

Case: Royal visit

Royal Vopak celebrated its 400th birthday in 2016. Vopak is the world’s leading independent tank storage company. Vopak stores and handles various oil, chemicals, edible oils and natural gas-related products. The head office is located in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

The celebrations in 2016 ended with a festive conference in the Cruise Terminal Rotterdam attended by HM the King of the Netherlands and many other corporate and government officials. Former Secretary-General of the United Nations, the fondly remember Kofi Atta Annan, was the key-note speaker.

Protocolbureau was asked to assist preparing the visit of the King and the Secretary-General. “The extensive experience and expertise of Protocolbureau was of great value to us and contributed largely to the success of our conference” was the feedback of Vopak. Our assistance focussed on developing a suitable programme and coordinating the welcome, greeting and seating of the dignitaries.

“Protocolbureau not only supported us with the protocol, they also assisted us welcoming our other guests.” Upon arrival the guests were greeted by the Board of Directors of Vopak, coordinated by Protocolbureau. After this, the ushers brought each guest to one of the other staff members of Vopak. “This proved to best possible welcome for our guests and a great way to support our staff in extending their network”.

Case: networking dinner

Many more meaningful encounters

“We put our employees to work during the Royal HaskoningDHV autumn dinner in the Royal Theatre in The Hague” says Margie Alders – between 2003 and 2016 responsible for the organisation of this successful networking activity. Margie Alders organised this dinner already in 2003, together with Protocolbureau. During this event there is always sufficient time to meet each other, the sit-down dinner takes no longer than an hour and a half. The Board of Directors greets all guests upon entry, but thereafter, the ushers of Protocolbureau bring the invited guests to one of the other hosts. “This way our employees speak to many of the guests. And the guests are given as much personal attention as possible.”

“At the table there is a seating arrangement, which makes it possible to stage even more encounters, and after the dinner there is plenty of room for spontaneous meetings” continues Margie Alders. “We do ask our staff before they go home to whom they have spoken and what has been discussed. That, along with the findings of the ushers, provides us with a fast and efficient evaluation of our dinner.”

Case: international conference

“The Union’s 49th World Conference on Lung Health in The Hague in October 2018 was attended by over 4000 participants, including many dignitaries as well as royalty from the Imperial House of Japan and the Royal House of the Netherlands.

Protocolbureau assisted us with the preparation for royal engagement in the conference and side events, and also provided on-the-ground support during the event. Their professionalism and expertise were exemplary and their orchestration of all of the various protocol requirements was carried out with skill and finesse. We were very pleased to have them as part of the team and are grateful to Jean-Paul Wijers and Joep Hoogerwerf for the role that they played in ensuring a successful conference.”

– José Luis Castro, Executive Director of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease – The Union

What others say about us:

Benno Tempel, director Gemeente Museum The Hague

“Protocolbureau supported us at the opening of the Mondriaan Year 2017, a festive activity attended by HM the King. The expertise and years of experience of Protocolbureau contributed largely to the success of the opening. It gave us the confidence that this important moment would be a success.”

Martin van Pernis, former CEO Siemens Netherlands

“Protocolbureau is the number one expert on protocol. The bureau was involved in the organisation of many Royal events and official ceremonies.

Together with the Institute of Strategic Relationship Management, Protocolbureau transformed classic protocol into a contemporary version of relationship management.”

Koos Burgman, former director BOVAG, the largest Dutch association for mobility

“Protocolbureau supported us during the preparations of a large event with Royalty. This service guaranteed us as a perfect execution of the protocol and an informal and relaxed atmosphere. The professionals of Protocolbureau operate without being seen. They contributed largely to the succes of our event.”